CNN will broadcast “CNN Special Whats Going On-A Hymn to the Marvin Gaye Era” tonight at 11:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.
“The biggest challenge was to keep it in just an hour. I was able to make the whole series. Everyone wanted to talk about their friends and colleagues. He was loved. “!” Said Don Lemon, the host of “Don Lemon Tonight.”
Last Friday celebrated the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s iconic and historic album What’s Going On. In “CNN Special: What’s Going On: Marvin Gaye’s Anthem for the Ages,” CNN’s Don Lemon reflected Marvin Gaye’s influence and genius, his unprecedented album, and some of his most important songs. Explore the anatomy of some iconic hits from the record. The challenges and divisions of today’s nation.
“CNN President Jeff Zucker has a great passion for Motown music, especially Marvin Gaye and his unprecedented album What’s Going On. As this iconic album celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, Zucker not only celebrates all the great music of this great musician, but also to find out why this record still has a big impact on people 50 years later. We turned our attention to the documentary unit. ”Elise Zeiger, Senior Producer, CNN Documentary Division.
According to Zeiger, the most important element was, of course, all the great “What’s Going On” songs written and produced by Marvin Gaye.
“I wanted to record how gay lyrics and melodies turned the most annoying social problems of his time into emotional appeals and succeeded brilliantly in this era,” Zeiger said. “This song captures even the current climate discord and is a hymn to the Black Lives Matter movement. Another important element of this special is, of course, the best knowledge of Marvin Gaye and his music. It was the voice of the people who are doing it, “said Zeiger.
“I think we’ve been learning how deep he was over time. I was surprised at his vulnerability. I think his loved ones are his addiction. I was surprised to be very candid about the problem. We should celebrate his art, because even after his death his art continued to learn from us and to that very profound and simple question. Because it forces you to try to answer.
This documentary includes Motown legends Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson, filmmaker and musician Spike Lee, Lee Daniels, Maxwell, and Andra Day. All of them have incredible insights into Marvin Gaye’s mind and music.
“We wanted to explore some of the themes of the hits on the album half a century ago. They reflect some of the most important challenges and divisions for today’s nation. Gay captured social unrest in the early ’70s, including the Vietnam War, excessive police force, and civil unrest. Our experts analyzed the lyrics of these iconic songs and found that they were the same 50 years later. It turns out that there is a problem. Police atrocities, poverty and racial discrimination are still pervasive throughout the country. “
“Undoubtedly, the hardest part of making this documentary was getting a music license for Marvin Gaye’s album. I don’t often work on projects that include music properties. It’s complicated to deal with. “Zeiger said.
Despite some minor issues in getting gay song rights, there were many highlights for a variety of reasons.
“As a movie and music enthusiast, personal highlights are not only in the same room as director Spike Lee and Motown legend Stevie Wonder, but also as they enthusiastically talk about Marvin Gaye’s genius. It was to hear. This guy and their enthusiasm for his music was completely contagious and I believe it was incorporated into this special. Another highlight is that Stevie Wonder is our little doctor. We had a kind of mini-concert for the team. The show includes an excerpt sung by correspondent Don Lemon with Stevie. This was a really great experience! ”Zeiger Said.
Lemon agrees that the moment with Stevie Wonder was definitely a remarkable moment.
“The highlight was to sit in front of the piano and sing with Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder is a musical genius and legend. I sing his songs and Marvin’s songs with him. I wouldn’t have imagined it would be a million years later, “he said.
“I want viewers to understand their feelings, perceptions and conclusions about the album and Marvin. I don’t want to influence their experience. I just enjoy the journey. I do I know that, “Lemon said.
